Roina had to secure an audience with the emperor by any means necessary.

Various speculations swirled in Roina’s mind about whether some deal had been made between the emperor and Marquis Würetti.

‘First, I need to find out how the marriage proceeded and the reason behind it.’

To approach her lost memories, Roina needed to find a topic that would pique the emperor’s interest.

He was someone who secured profits as thoroughly as Marquis Würetti.

‘For instance, news related to the mine that Father is known to be investing in.’

Just as Roina let out a shallow sigh thinking about what was to come—

“My lady, all preparations are complete.”

Sophie, who had been gauging the mood, casually conveyed the message.

While Roina had been lost in thought, it seemed her preparations were finished.

Coming to her senses, she showed a gentle smile.

“Yes, I should go now.”

※※※

Under the bright and splendid chandelier lights, the sound of wine glasses lightly clinking could be heard everywhere.

In the cheerful atmosphere, the conservative nobles were engaged in lively conversation with each other.

The Asheter ducal family’s banquet was reaching its peak, but Conrad had to enter separately from Roina due to the emperor’s summons.

Since this was a gathering that invited key figures from the conservative faction, Roina couldn’t let her guard down.

‘My every action will become fodder.’

No matter how much she was the mistress of the Asheter family, the fact that she was the daughter of the progressive faction’s leader remained unchanged.

Roina’s appearance after ending her reclusive life was enough to draw the crowd’s attention.

The nobles who approached her with proper etiquette showed appropriate goodwill while engaging in conversation.

“We greet Duchess Asheter. Where is His Grace……”

Though their intention to approach Conrad was transparently obvious, Roina only hid her expression and responded with a gentle smile.

In any case, she had a duty to welcome the attendees as the mistress of the Asheter family and host of the banquet.

Additionally, a familiar group approached where Roina was standing.

“It’s been a while, Duchess Asheter.”

“You still seem as beautiful as ever, Duchess.”

The noble ladies who had shown rude behavior at the tea party just recently approached so familiarly that one might wonder if they were the same people.

“Yes, thank you for accepting the invitation.”

Though their attitude was still uncomfortable, Roina tried not to show it.

“But since it’s hosted by Marquis Würetti’s daughter, it’s excessively luxurious.”

“Indeed. This is what you call vanity.”

Still, when she heard murmurs about her bloodline, she tried to move away.

Until the voice of a woman with inherent dignity was heard nearby.

“It’s been a while, Duchess Asheter.”

Meeting eyes with the brilliantly shining red irises, Roina bowed her head and showed proper respect.

“Holy light upon the Noxtan Empire. I greet Your Majesty the Empress, prophet of Noxtan and owner of sacred glory.”

Catherine Bell Kaldebaum—she was the current empress of the Noxtan Empire and Daphne Clovis’s older sister.

Since she never expected the empress to speak to her first, Roina was trying hard to hide her agitation.

“Raise your head, Duchess Asheter.”

Catherine, who stopped a passing servant to pick up a wine glass, sent a gentle smile.

Roina had seen her from afar several times in the past.

The empress, with whom she had no particular friendship then or now, seemed to want to offer greetings to the banquet’s host.

Otherwise, there would be no reason to converse with her.

‘But why isn’t Daphne visible?’

When Lady Clovis, who should have attended the banquet, didn’t show herself, Roina quickly scanned the surroundings with puzzlement.

Then, as if reading her thoughts, Catherine spoke in a calm voice:

“If you’re looking for Lady Clovis, she won’t be attending today’s banquet.”

“……!”

At the empress’s unexpected words, bewilderment spread across Roina’s purple eyes.

But soon she could vaguely understand Catherine’s intentions.

It seemed the empress had ordered her sister not to attend this banquet.

‘She already knew about that incident.’

Even if Daphne had kept the tea party incident secret, she couldn’t have blocked it from reaching the empress’s ears.

While Roina briefly pondered how to react, Catherine continued:

“I’ll apologize on behalf of the unfortunate incident that day.”

“I’m fine, Your Majesty.”

“No, you’re not. It was entirely the lady’s fault.”

“……”

Unlike Daphne, who didn’t hide her hostility, no malice could be seen from the empress. She simply judged all situations objectively.

Roina nodded slightly at Catherine’s words that she would later summon Daphne to the imperial palace to arrange an official occasion.

After some time had passed, the empress looked at the banquet hall entrance with interested eyes.

“His Majesty the Emperor and Duke Asheter have just entered.”

Following Catherine’s gaze, Roina looked at the master of the Noxtan Empire and her husband.

Emperor Cedric paused briefly, having matters to discuss with key figures, while Conrad moved his heavy steps without hesitation.

His jet-black hair neatly combed back and his uniform worn cleanly without a single wrinkle.

As always consistent, he stopped right in front of Roina.

The man’s indifferent gaze, after showing respect to the empress, soon reached his wife.

‘……?’

Roina raised an eyebrow, wondering why Conrad was looking at her quietly.

“Aren’t you going to dance?”

Soon understanding the meaning of the hand he extended, she swallowed a short sigh.

It was imperial custom for the banquet’s host and partner to share the first dance.

“……No, I’ll dance.”

After hesitating briefly, Roina placed her hand over his.

※※※

As Roina and Conrad headed to the dance floor for the first dance, the nobles attending the banquet showed curious eyes.

“It seems the two will be dancing.”

“I think it’s the first time since their newlywed days?”

“Well, the duchess hasn’t been engaging in external activities during this time.”

The nobles watching the movements of the Asheter duke and duchess were busy murmuring.

Though he surely felt those gazes, Conrad seemed indifferent as if uninterested.

‘I should say that’s like you.’

Roina glanced at him to avoid being conscious of the persistent stares.

Dancing with Conrad was practically the first time for her, who had lost her memory.

She hadn’t even been able to practice dancing beforehand for this banquet.

Swallowing a light sigh, Roina soon smiled bitterly.

‘You wouldn’t have given me time in the first place.’

Soon as the accompaniment began playing, Conrad wrapped his thick arms around her waist.

Perhaps because this was the first time she had been so close to him, tension flickered in Roina’s eyes.

The man looking at her with indifferent eyes began to step skillfully.

Despite this being the first time matching steps with him in Roina’s memory, Conrad led expertly.

‘I’m sure he said he wasn’t good at dancing.’

A conversation with the man she believed she knew well suddenly came to mind.

“Eden, you don’t seem to attend banquets often?”

“It’s not the right time yet.”

“Pardon? What do you mean……”

“My dancing skills are inadequate. When I’m ready later, I’ll ask you first.”

‘Though it didn’t end up that way……’

Not a single mistake could be found in the man smoothly continuing the movements.

Thanks to that, Roina stepped through the movements calmly.

Not a trace of emotion could be felt in his golden eyes that met hers for an instant.

When she pressed her lips tightly shut and only stared into space, Conrad slightly narrowed his brow and spoke quietly:

“Is there some problem?”

At the man’s cold attitude, Roina felt her insides burning black again.

But she tried to answer calmly as if nothing was wrong.

“Not at all. But was increasing the number of invited guests your plan?”

“That’s correct.”

She had heard that Asheter family banquets were conducted relatively modestly and simply.

But this banquet was much grander and more splendid than she had thought.

“Why did you do that?”